Pool Reports of August 16, 2023

In-town pool report #1- good morning

Good morning from the White House on this sunny Wednesday.

Looks like a straightforward day. From the press office guidance:

12:15 pm: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation John Podesta, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell

2:30 pm: THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act—a key part of Bidenomics that is Investing in America, reducing costs for hardworking families, making the tax code fairer, and the biggest investment in climate action in history.

The IRA event will be in the East Room, open to pre-credentialed media. WH live stream here.

In-town pool report #2 - briefing now at 12:50

per the press office

In-town pool report #3 - two-minute warning

to the briefing

In-town pool report #4 - briefing starts

at 1:02 pm.

In-town pool report #5 - WH briefing ends

At 2:05 pm

In-town pool report #6 - IRA event pre-program, list of participants

Pool entered East Room at 2:29 pm to a big audience gathered for Inflation Reduction Act first anniversary event. EPA administrator Regan and then Ag Secretary Vilsack warmed up the crowd with "pre-program" remarks. Leader Schumer and Speaker Emerita Pelosi were then introduced to applause and a standing ovation, followed by remarks by each, talking up the IRA.

"Let's hear it for the House Democrats," Pelosi said to applause.

"This is the president's day," she said.

Shoutout to Jon Stewart.

Schumer began speaking at 2:52 pm.

Potus remarks, coming soon, will go out on White House livestream

From the WH press office:

In attendance for the President's remarks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act—a key part of Bidenomics that is Investing in America, reducing costs for hardworking families, making the tax code fairer, and the biggest investment in climate action in history:

Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Director Arati Prabhakar, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11)
Business leaders, union leaders and workers, farmers, environmental justice advocates, and members of the administration

Stage Participants
Kristal Hansley, CEO, WeSolar
Vernice Miller-Travis, EVP for Environmental and Social Justice, The Metropolitan Group
Rachel Bouressa, Bouressa Family Farm
Gary Wertish, President, Minnesota Farmers Union
Roger Noonan, Owner, Middle Branch Farm
Laura Lesher, Famer, Way-Har Farms
Anita Berger, Principal, Banneker High School
Michelle Mendoza, Union member, UA
Randy Pierre Jr., Apprentice, UA
Saudia Cole, Union member, UA
Kyler Brown, Farmer, San Luis Valley Farm
Alexander Barham, Union member, Ironworkers
Kayla Yatso, Apprentice, UA
Johanna Kreilick, President, Union of Concerned Scientists
Thomas Cormans, Executive Director, Appalachian Voices
Maria Lopez-Nunez, Advocate, Ironbound Community Corporation

Pre-Program
June Kang, IBEW Apprentice
Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY)

Speaking Program
Scott Strazik, CEO, GE Vernova
The President

In town pool report #7 - Biden speaks

Biden, wearing a dark suit and flanked by  about 16 stage participants, started by touting how IRA took on special interests, created good paying jobs. He began speaking at 3:10.

"Guess what, it's working," he said in his trademark whisper.

"When I think climate- not a joke- I think jobs," he said.

Tens of billions of dollars in gasoline will be saved by 2030, he said.

"When I say climate means jobs, I mean good paying union jobs."

Says he cut deficit by $1.7 trillion.

Average billionaire in America pays an 8.2 percent tax rate, he said.

"I'm not here to declare victory on the economy," he said. "We have a lot more work to do."

"When we invest in ourselves, we strengthen the middle class."

After about a half hour of speaking, he raised his voice and spoke passionately about how America has never failed when it sets out to accomplish its goals.

Crowd stood and applauded as he finished his remarks at 3:37.

In-town pool report #8 - lid

We have a lid at 3:53 pm. Have a great rest of the day.